"Oscar, I think I'm gay. ...I'm just so emotional."

[This message has been edited by gigemwhoop88 (edited 5/17/2013 9:41p).]

Two things I loved.

One, Andy's line about the good old days. Stellar writing.

And two, Jim's stuff about how he owes everything he has to this job. It obvious that that was John K speaking directly from the heart. I've heard him say almost that exact thing about his role on the Office, so it was nice that they let him express that gratitude to the world. He seems like a good guy and I like knowing that he appreciates his role as Jim, that even if he is forever typecast, it's OK, because he owes everything to this job.

This is in response to watty:

I get what your saying about Michael Scott. But the thing was, throughout the whole show all he wanted was a family. I feel like he inserted himself in events and weddings not because he was a narcissist (well, ok maybe a little) but because he didn't have the things other people around the office had... especially Pam and Jim. So, when Holly came around... that was his match. He knew she was his soulmate. And I feel like that was the step he HAD to take to finally grow up... to stop trying to overcompensate like he did the whole series. That's why he was SO awkward.. he was the guy that just tried way too hard. So, it's realistic to think when he finally got the ONE thing he wanted--which was a wife--of course he'd follow that. As others have said, the grey hair was a symbol of how he finally grew up. He was still awkward, we could still tell there was typical Michael Scott, but he was different--he finally got a family. The way he said I bought another phone to get the family plan said it all.

I remember reading an article that said Steve Carell didn't want to take away from the spotlight of the other characters, because truly Michael Scott already had his conclusion to the show and thus wasn't sure if he'd been in the finale at all. I think as an actor for Carell to step back, still be there for the actors/characters but let them tell their end, spoke a lot to who he is as a person. That's probably why he wasn't in the final office party... I would have liked it, but it was time for all the other characters to say goodbye to the audience.

Watched it this afternoon. Erin realizing that Joan Cusack was her mom was a pretty emotional part for me unexpectedly. Erin has always been a ditz, but to realize that the one thing she really wanted was suddenly there in front of her was really nice. They did right by her character.

Can't say the same for Andy. I feel bad for Ed Helms. They spent the last 2 years trying to shoehorn him into Michael Scott Lite plots instead of just letting him be the Nard Dog.

just watching it and...

it was FREAKIN AWESOME.

i spent the last 30 mins or so choked up actually trying not to be so emotional (kinda like Kevin..but i think* i'm straight).

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"I wish there was a way to know you're actually in the good ol' days before you've actually left them"

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a very very under rated line in the finale from Andy.

this show which was once one of my favs has had some spotty productions the last couple of years but this finale was pretty damn amazing. wrapped everything up, and got some emotion and laughter in there. i'm not great with remembering finales so maybe someone can set me straight but this might be the best finale i've ever seen. of the ones I've seen that is(have not seen MASH or Newhart)

Agree with Tampa

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After watching that, I feel like Jenna Fischer is actually in love with John Krasinski.


Seriously. Are either of them married? Because if not, they need to just run away with each other.

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Krasinski is doing well.

Was Andy referencing an actual song when he said his 'glory days' line? I know there's 'Glory Days' by Springsteen, but that song doesn't really fit the vibe of the line. Or was he just referring to something that should be written (and sung Acapella, I'm sure)? I'm sure there's lots of songs about glory days in general but didn't know if they were making a specific reference.

Great finale, better than Seinfeld, close to Cheers and Newhart.

I'm pretty sure the realtor is Steve Carrells wife in real life - she's been on the show before.

Great tunes at Dwight's Wedding - would not have thought Dwight would have them play Petty or Springsteen.

Liked how during the retrospective show, they captioned what season each clip was from - hadn't seen that before and it was a nice touch.

And glad there was not one mention or scene of Robert California!

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I'm pretty sure the realtor is Steve Carrells wife in real life - she's been on the show before.

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Yep. She pops up in his movies as well. She was the sex talk facilitator in 40 Year Old Virgin.

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no mention of Angela being carried down the aisle to an orchestral "Sweet Child O' Mine"?

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thanks I was racking my brain trying to figure out what that song was!!!

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And glad there was not one mention or scene of Robert California!

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Wow. I have completely blocked those episodes from my memory. Honestly, I haven't thought of him on the show in what feels like years.

Yeah they didn't mention quite a few characters that were more than just cameos in the retrospective show:

Charles
Todd Packard
Robert
Gabe
Karen

I was surprised they had D'Angelo on there.

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Todd Packard

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Did he sell computers?

Karen was the only one they left off that I wanted to see.

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Todd Packard

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Did he sell computers?

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Packer, Packard...whatever, you never hear his name clear enough.

So what was the deal with the Austin love fest? Writers from Austin? Did Austin pay money to them as basically a product placement?

I attributed that more to that Austin has become more well-known nationally in the past decade as a "cool place to go"

Kind of an odd place since all they have is what the Round Rock Express?

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Kind of an odd place since all they have is what the Round Rock Express?

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Well played, sir

I just watched it, and I never realized how attached I had grown to everyone. I thought it was done excellently, and now I really want to go back and rewatch all the seasons again.

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Yeah they didn't mention quite a few characters that were more than just cameos in the retrospective show:

Charles
Todd Packard
Robert
Gabe
Karen

I was surprised they had D'Angelo on there.

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I believe they wanted to show how well Steve Carrel and Will Ferrell interacted with each other during the scene where they first met.

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So what was the deal with the Austin love fest? Writers from Austin? Did Austin pay money to them as basically a product placement?

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One of Krazinski's best friends is a big wig in SXSW. I think it was a nod to her.

finally caught up, watched the last 4 eps in a row inc. the finale. damn those made up for the mostly-mediocre past couple seasons. one of my favorite shows ever, and they ended on a high note - tons of classic office laughs and great emotional payoffs for almost all of the characters

i'm of the mindset that having michael scott revert to his old ways and draw attention to himself would be extremely poor writing. the way he was handled as almost an outsider, but still every bit as goofy and caring, was some brilliant characterization imo. they showed a lot without telling. his two lines were gold

andy's line helped make up for his unfortunate storyline this season. it always baffled me why the writers seemed so driven to make him unlikeable...that just seemed out of place in retrospect

jim and pam will forever be the baseline for TV relationships. idk if i'm in the minority but i liked all the curveballs they (and we) got thrown this season - even the kinda hokey boom mic guy thing. her selling the house was a great resolution for their journey.

i'm gonna miss this show

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After watching that, I feel like Jenna Fischer is actually in love with John Krasinski.


Seriously. Are either of them married? Because if not, they need to just run away with each other.

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I will say, if I was Fischer's [2nd] husband, I probably wouldn't let her hang out with him anymore.

someone explain to me the Athlead/Athleap situation:

last week they were talking of a buyout and wanted Jim/Darryl to go on the road for 3 months. Jim said no. Now 6 months later, Jim will be joining Darryl?

So apparently the merger happened, and they changed the name. Is Jim still a part owner? How can he just up and rejoin them like nothing happened?

Also I think that they should have had Dwight's brother and sister at the wedding.

in michael scott's book of conflict resolution, that finale was win-win-win

Pretty good finale. A little more Jim & Pam than was necessary in my opinion - made it seem like the entire series was about them. I was not sure about Michael coming back but I thought they worked him in appropriately. The last two or three seasons have been barely watchable at times so I am happy they brought it to a satisfying conclusion.

Pretty solid finale. Definitely better than most. It redeemed the past few seasons and justified my hanging on through the Robert California mess.

One more thing to add about my complaints about how Michael Scott was written in this show. You mean to tell me despite coming to Scranton for the wedding on the same weekend, Michael Scott *wouldn't* be part of the PBS panel? NO. WAY. Again, the way they included him in this episode made absolutely no sense and was in opposition to everything we ever knew about the guy. And that disappoints me.

I've been trying to keep thinking about the episode and decide if it's growing on me or not, and I still just can't shake the feeling that something was slightly off. I think they went into it with a goal of just trying to have "moments" rather than necessarily trying to write a good episode. And maybe that's fine, it's what the majority of people wanted and seem to have enjoyed, but I guess for me a lot of it still just felt too manufactured.

Sorry you didn't enjoy it, watty. Were there problems? Sure. Was it perfectly written? No. Did it stay true to the heart of the show and give us resolution for many of the main characters? Absolutely.

I thought it was excellent.

I enjoyed it for the most part. I've enjoyed the whole series, even when most were griping about it. It just wasn't anything special in my eyes, especially compared with something like Scrubs, which was much better, IMO.

The writers were at the mercy of Carrell's schedule/willingness. Seems a bit odd to throw the blame their way. It was, by all we've seen out there, a big effort to even get him in for what they got.

My favorite finales (from recent TV history) :

1. Friday Night Lights
2. The Office
3. Scrubs (I'm not counting that last season with the interns)

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The writers were at the mercy of Carrell's schedule/willingness. Seems a bit odd to throw the blame their way. It was, by all we've seen out there, a big effort to even get him in for what they got.

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I get that. It would have been better to either just not have him on at all, or else to actually write a believable part for him. What ended up was in the middle. He was barely even there, and it wasn't remotely believable, IMO. It's irrelevant whose fault it was. I'm just pointing out what was, IMO, a big flaw in the episode and left me feeling unsatisfied.